– says detailed assessment would allow UN to identify practical opportunities for renewed diplomatic engagement

Guyana’s candidate for United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has said that a closer examination of previous peace efforts could help the organisation identify new pathways to resolving some of the world’s most protracted conflicts. Speaking recently to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett said that, if elected, she would assess the history of individual conflicts, including previous interventions, the approaches taken, and the outcomes they produced. She said such an assessment could help the UN better understand why past efforts succeeded or failed and identify new strategies for addressing conflicts that have remained unresolved for decades. “I will examine the conflict landscape to see what has been tried and what was not,” Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett said. She maintained that she would strengthen the UN’s ability to engage in preventive diplomacy before conflicts escalate. “There are certain tools at the disposal of the Secretary General, including his/her Good Offices and mediation. Conflicts do not start in a day. There are signals before a conflict erupts. The UN has a large footprint around the world, that can provide early warning information to the Secretary General’s office”, she said. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett said she would not hesitate to get in touch with the parties concerned when she is made aware that a certain situation is likely to escalate. “I am willing to use the tools at my disposal but also to play any role that will de-escalate the situation and bring about a solution. This could be a broker, a mediator, a negotiator or even a messenger between the different sides” the ambassador said. She opined that a detailed assessment would allow the UN to identify practical opportunities for renewed diplomatic engagement, particularly in situations where previous efforts have failed to produce lasting solutions. Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett acknowledged that geopolitical considerations can make conflict resolution more difficult, but said the UN must continue looking for ways to make progress.

“In short, I will look at ways to move the needle. That’s the job of the Secretary-General,” she said. She said her approach would involve working with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other relevant stakeholders and using the diplomatic tools available to the Secretary-General. The approach reflects Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett’s stated vision for a more agile, efficient and effective UN, including a stronger focus on practical diplomacy and finding solutions to longstanding international challenges.